It started in a bean field, in the spring of 1962, when a remote controlled
model aircraft introduced a new sound into the Scenic Boston Valley south of
Hamburg. To many of the neighbors, this was a new and interesting sight -- a
model airplane flying by radio control. To a few of the onlookers, the hobby
looked interesting enough to try for themselves. From this event has emerged
the success story of the R.C. flying club of the Southtowns area -- The
Flying Knights.

Bean fields can be rough and through a search for a flying site, the
owner of a private airstrip in Boston was contacted and it wasn’t long
before the owner himself became interested and was soon an active member of
the group.

At the close of the 1962 flying season, this small group decided to
form a club, and through the co-operation of the Hamburg Photo-News and
hobby shops in nearby Buffalo, word was passed of the new club being formed.

Many showed up for that meeting, -- some were R.C. enthusiasts from
neighboring towns who were flying where ever they could find a spot. Others
were U-control and free flight pilots who had decided to try R.C., while
still others were altogether new to modeling. Enthusiasm was high, and
during meetings held over the winter months officers were elected, a
constitution and by-laws using AMA guidelines were written and the club name
chosen and club insignia designed, an AMA charter was applied for and the
Flying Knights became an AMA chartered club on May 23,1963 boasting 16
charter members.

The club decided that it would be best for all concerned to build
their own airstrip and during the summer of 1963 through the joint efforts
of all the members, land adjacent to the full, scale airstrip was graded and
seeded for a 120 x 450 foot runway. This airstrip served as the “Home base”
for the Flying Knights through the summer of 1967.

For the protection of its members, the club incorporated in early
1964. Formal business meetings were held at the Boston Free Library every 3
weeks on Friday nights.

The first R.C. Fun Fly sponsored by The Flying Knights was held on
July 12, 1964. Emphasis, as in all following Fun Flies was put on sport and
fun flying, with very little competition involved. There were prizes for all
entrants and all fliers went home happy and contented after a good days
flying fun. The great success of this fun fly attracted many new members and
was the beginning of the growth and expansion of this club to what it is
today. This fun fly became an annual event and on June 25, 1967 it was
combined with the Boston Sesquicentennial celebration in the form of a model
airshow for the public.

Ironically, a few short months later, a few overzealous Boston
politicians who were completely ignorant of aero modeling pushed through a
town ordinance to restrict the flying of model airplanes in the town only to
satisfy the whims of a few, some of whom lived miles from the model
airstrip. The Knights hired legal assistance and attempted to discourage the
passage of this ordinance. Their efforts, however were in vain, as the so
called public hearing was nothing but a legal formality. The ordinance is in
effect today and is written so broad that no airplane of any size or
dimension may legally fly over the town of Boston without its pilot first
applying for and going through a public hearing to obtain a permit to do so.

In 1968, the club rented a plot of farmland in North Collins and
developed an airstrip on that land. That airstrip is still very much in use
today by club members. It was during this year that the, club, not wanting a
repeat of the loss in Boston, wrote up field rules and regulations to
protect its members and also help keep peace and goodwill with its
neighbors. The fact that the North Collins field is still in operation and
on friendly terms with area residents bears out this fact that common sense
organization and public education goes a long way to preserve and promote
this hobby and sport.

In 1969, new members of the Boston Town Board, realizing the
injustice done to those interested in aero modeling worked with the Flying
Knights to secure a piece of county property off Rockwood Rd. in Boston for
model flying use. At much expense to the club, and hard work by its members,
a flying field was carved out of the side of a hill. The field was in use
until 1977 when it was abandoned in favor of the present Hamburg site. A
permit as required by the Boston ordinance is being renewed annually to use
the site, however, so it can be re-opened should the club lose use of the
North Collins or Hamburg flying sites.

The Flying Knights, working with other R.C. clubs in the Buffalo
area, negotiated with Erie County to develop a county flying site.
Permission was granted about 1971 to use an area in Chestnut Ridge Park for
R.C. model flying. The terrain and local obstruction in the area however did
not prove favorable for R.C. flying. Negotiations between the area model
flying clubs, the county, and the town of Hamburg led to the development of
the model airport at the Hamburg recreational park on Lakeview Rd. in
Hamburg in 1973.

Use of the Hamburg site has brought the Flying Knights and R.C. aero
modeling into the public eye; and has been a major factor in the recent
growth of the club membership. This field has made it possible to resume an
annual fun fly and the first meet in Hamburg was held on August 25, 1974
with great success. Since then the annual event has expanded each year and
in 1977 was increased to a 2 day meet.

Because of the enthusiasm shown by Hamburg Town Officials in
recognizing model flying as part of their recreation program, The Flying
Knights have moved their business meetings from the Boston
Library to the Senior Citizens Building at the Hamburg Recreation Center.

Another club project in public education that has helped expand the
interest in R.C. modeling is the static display put on by the Flying Knights
in a local department store sometime in January or February.

The popularity of R.C. modeling is growing and the Flying Knights is
growing with it. Dedication and experience of the long time members blended
with the spirit and enthusiasm of the new members and hard work by both have
combined to make up a great R.C. flying club.